PRESIDENT

Mary Kensok, a veteran teacher of 33 years and a former Central Cass elementary educator, has fostered the visual arts through the curriculum and teaching a summer youth art program for the Casselton Park District for over 25 years. Domestic and international travel has enabled Mary to view masterpieces of Van Gough in Amsterdam, Renoir and Rembrandt in Stockholm, Matisse in Moscow, Hokusai in Tokyo, Picasso in Trieste, Warhol in Dallas, Michelangelo in Rome and Florence, Arnason in Reykjavik and Rodin in Fargo.

The arts have been a vital part of the lives of Mary’s three adult children, Lauren, Julia and Landon. As youth, they were actively involved in Kindermusik, theater, dance, choirs, band, visual art classes, performing arts’ camps and attending museums and musicals. Mary lives in Casselton with her husband, Jack, and Goldendoodle, Winnie.

VICE PRESIDENT

Jennifer Schmaltz and her husband, Adam, moved to Casselton three years ago to enjoy the perks of living in a small town with their son, Hunter, and two dogs, Roxy and Chewy. Hunter is currently in band, choir, and has found his niche in theater.

After spending 12 years as a Pharmacy Technician, Jennifer switched gears completely and currently works in the accounting office at Gateway Chevrolet.

She found a love for music at an early age, after her grandma gifted her a piano. She took lessons for 11 years, and played a variety of instruments in band—clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bass drum, timpani, and the marimba.

Music and theater have always held a special place in Jennifer’s heart. She made her acting debut as a 5th grader, with no speaking parts, as the “end” of the caterpillar in Alice and Wonderland. “Perhaps, I’ll leave the acting to our son,” says Jennifer.

According to Jennifer, “Our son, Hunter, is teaching us the true importance of the arts. We have seen it first hand how it improves confidence, helps someone grow, and gives a place of belonging. The arts are truly good for the soul.”

SECRETARY

Bridget Belter is a mother of four Central Cass students—Nicholas 14, Luke 11, Max 8 and Grace 6. She graduated from NDSCS with a registered nursing degree and worked as a labor and delivery nurse, but is now a professional mom.

According to Bridget, “I married into a musically gifted family. I see people use that gift for life. I love music and enjoy any live music. Concerts are my favorite.” Her favorite work of art is Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam. Bridget continues, ”The arts promote learning. Being talented in the arts can carry you through life.”

Bridget plays the piano, loves to attend plays, cook and vacation!

Bridget lives in Casselton with her husband, Mark (a Central Cass alum), and four children.

TREASURER

Kristen Olsen believes that students gain invaluable confidence from getting up in front of a room and performing. In high school, she played the bass clarinet in band and participated in speech and theater. She graduated from Jamestown College with degrees in accounting and business management. She started a masters in human resources, but decided to be a stay-at-home mom.

Kristen’s family loves a good road trip. They have a goal to drive together to all 50 states. So far, they have reached 37. Kristen’s favorite musician is Tim McGraw.

Kristen lives in Casselton with her husband, Paul, and four children—Greta, Luke, Heidi and Veronica.

SOCIAL MEDIA + DESIGN + TECH

Julia graduated from CCHS in 2013. Daughter of Jack & Mary Kensok - she grew up in the arts dedicating many years to ballet, jazz and tap under the direction of Kathy & Matthew Gasper and dancing with the FM Ballet Company.

After receiving her B.S. in Advertising from Minnesota State University Moorhead, she worked as a graphic designer both in print and digital media before co-founding Zeitlos Studios with her husband - a wedding videography company now based in Minneapolis, MN.

Julia returned to Central Cass in 2022 to choreograph James & the Giant Peach and found much fulfillment working with students and using her talents in design & media to give back to Central Cass.

BOARD MEMBER

Kristi Melvin believes arts programs allow students to gain confidence in front of people and express their unique talents that will stay with them for a lifetime.

For the past 21+ years, Kristi and her husband, Randy, have farmed in the Alice and Buffalo, ND areas. Their family operation primarily raises corn, soybeans and wheat. They have four children—Leila, 11th grade, is involved in theater, piano and ballet at the Living Waters Dance Theatre in Enderlin. Rachel, 9th grade, also participates in theater, piano and ballet. Ben, 6th grade, plays the piano, and Luke, 4 years old, follows along for the ride. Kristi homeschools her children.

Kristi earned a BS Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music in 2003 from NDSU. She was a member of the NDSU Concert Choir and presently sings with a Church Praise Team. A 1999 Northwood high school graduate, Kristi played the alto saxophone, piano and sang in choir. She loves being able to encourage, participate in, and support the arts.

BOARD MEMBER

Heidi Krueger lives on a farm near Amenia, North Dakota with her husband of 30 years and sons—Hunter, a sophomore, is involved in archery, trap shooting and FFA, and Zach, a 6th grader, plays trombone and baritone in band and is also in football, wrestling, baseball and Lego Robotics. Her son Joe, a Central Cass graduate, works in Grand Forks, and Trenton attended Central Cass, and is now continuing his schooling through Job Corp in Minot. Heidi considers herself a “chaos manager” and taxi driver for her adolescents.

Heidi is a graduate of Fargo South and UND with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. Her high school memories were related to traveling to Winnipeg and Chicago for band. “Those trips still are very fond memories for me!” Throughout high school, Heidi played the trumpet. She followed her passion of getting back into band by taking lessons last spring and marching in the Summerfest band this summer.

Alan Jackson, Reba and Lauren Daigle are Heidi’s favorite musicians, and Bob Ross is her favorite artist. Mama Mia is her favorite Broadway show.

According to Krueger, “Students involved in the arts and activities develop relationships outside of school. The places you get to go and friends you make will last a lifetime.”

BOARD MEMBER

Maari Loy, a 2004 Central Cass alum, brings her musical talent and experiences to the Friends of Fine Arts Board. As a music standout at Central Cass, Maari participated in band, choir, jazz band, the Fargo-Moorhead Area Youth Symphony, All-State Band, honor bands and the Bethel Church Orchestra.

Loy’s post high school experiences include the NDSU Wind Symphony, NDSU Gold Star Marching Band, NDSU Concert Band, NDSU Woodwind Quintets, Bethel Church Orchestra, cantatas, musicals, pit orchestras, wedding oboe soloist, CrossRoads Community Church Worship Team, Rural Cass Community Bell Choir, Casselton United Singers Easter Cantatas, Casselton Summerfest Variety Show and the Casselton Summer Marching Band.

“Music was always part of our family growing up on a farm near Prosper, ND," says Maari. Her husband, Phillip, is a French horn player who also comes from a family with deep roots in music. Music and the arts were and are woven into the lives of the Loy family--Mabel (alto saxophone, piano), Jalen (drums, piano) and Toby (piano). According to Loy, "We are grateful for a community that is willing to raise up young musicians in worship and music at CrossRoads Community Church and in Casselton."

Maari is an accomplished musician with the oboe, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, piano and vocals. In addition to Maari’s extensive musical repertoire, she holds a doctorate degree in Pharmacy from NDSU.

BOARD MEMBER

Sarah Burchill and her family of six live in rural Casselton. Her children enjoy varied sports activities, and they all participate in piano and band.

In addition to practicing real estate for 15 years, Sarah is a project manager at a local seed company, doing anything from programming and accounting to safety. Her education is in industrial engineering.

Sarah participated in band, pep band and a few marching band parades in high school. One of her most memorable experiences was playing in pep band in her basketball uniform. She plays trumpet and piano. Her favorite musicians are Jim Brickman, Elton John and Garth Brooks. She loves the Broadway show Lion King.

According to Burchill, “Music is a unique language that everyone should be given the opportunity to enjoy. Being part of a group to create something together, different social circles all on the same team, with all different abilities - it’s pretty much the perfect life lesson. Skills learned in music will be enjoyed for life.”